Help: Score does not increase

Question

GMAT clubbers, I have read a lot in the GMAT club forum and I really appreciate the high quality of your posts. Currently I am studying for the GMAT. My official GMAT test will take place in 2 weeks. Unfortunately after 5 mock CATs my score has not increased

Background information # non native speaker # studying for the GMAT 2,5 month in a row; 6 hours a day # Study materials: MGMAT books (all), GMAT Club free ebooks, OG 2015 and I finish some of the first questions of the Math Review Guide and the Verbal Review Guide # I am targeting at 680 but a least 640-650 As I mentioned I finished 5 CATs with the following results: # MGMAT CAT 1: 580 (Q40 / V30) # MGMAT CAT 2: 530 (Q32 / V32) # GMATPrep Test 1: 570 (Q39 / V29) # MGMAT CAT 3: 570 (Q39 / V30) # MGMAT CAT 4: 550 (Q40 / V27) I finished all tests under real test conditions. That is, all tests were composed of AWA, IR, Q and V and all tests were timed with considering the official breaks. I analyzed and reviewed all errors which occurred in the OG and in all CATs to find out my weakest area. Although I wrote down all errors in an error log, I cannot increase my score. I also tried to understand the concept behind each question which I answered wrong (and right). The error log shows that I don't have a particular section in which I am really bad in. Sometimes it is quant DS, sometimes it is verbal CR, etc. Currently I am lost - I cannot get over 600

On average I am missing 60-100 points overall to reach my goal. What do you suggest? Should I concentrate on quant or verbal? I have only 2 weeks left Does it make sense to consult a private instructor? It seems that all the studying does not have the effect I expected (my first CAT was the best

) Please tell me whether you need more information. Thanks for your support.

GMATPill · Answer

You mentioned you've reviewed all errors in OG. OK, so test yourself.

Can you go through every question in OG and get them correct? If you do a few questions here and there in chunks -- can you get them correct?

If not ---why not? After all, you've reviewed these questions before, right? So that means you should be an expert in them.

Clearly, there will likely be a disconnect. The point is that you should not dismiss a resource just because you've "reviewed" the errors there.

You still need to go back -- and hold yourself accountable for any learning that should have taken place.

Also, when you do OG, we recommend that you follow along our video explanations here: www.gmatpill.com/official-guide-gmat/

EMPOWERgmatRichC · Answer

Hi undergrad555,

Do you have any flexibility on your Test Date? Can you push it back (even if it's just a few weeks or a month)? While I know that you probably don't *want* to push your Test Date back, the work that you've done so far is clearly not likely to get you a 680 on Test Day. You need time to adjust your tactics and learn to "see" (and respond to) the GMAT in a new way.

GMAT assassins aren't born, they're made,
Rich

OptimusPrep · Answer

I agree with Rich.

You should not put you under time pressure if you take the GMAT a bit later. It will be of tremendous value if you have more time for your GMAT preparation...

also you should consider taking private tutoring if you want to score 700+ and need a score improvement of 100 points in a short period of time

undergrad555 · Answer

OptimusPrep, Rich,

Thank you for your reply.

In your opinion, should I just keep the current test date and use it as a "test run".
What I've read so far it is not a huge disadvantage to take the GMAT two times.

Thank you.

EMPOWERgmatRichC · Answer

Hi undergrad555,

Business Schools don't care if you take the GMAT more than once, so you can take your Official GMAT as planned. If you don't hit your score goal, then you'll just end up spending another $250 and you'll have to wait another 31 days to retest. IF you choose to reschedule, you must do so at least 7 full days before your scheduled appointment and the fee is $50. This would give you more control over when you next take the GMAT and would (likely) save you some money.

GMAT assassins aren't born, they're made,
Rich

undergrad555 · Answer

EMPOWERgmatRichC, thank you for your reply. I will keep the current test date and I will use it as a test run. Probably it will be devastating because I scored 540 today on my second GMATPrep mock exam

Please let me one ask question. When I screw up the GMAT, what do you suggest? Should I try to tackle the TOEFL before my second GMAT try? 2 months ago, I deliberately decided against the option "First TOEFL and afterward GMAT" because I had the idea to tackle the "harder" test first. Now I realized that my weakest section is the verbal section because of missing vocabulary, problems in understanding subtle differences in CR, problems in understanding RC passages, etc. Do you think when I will learn for the TOEFL I will increase my GMAT verbal score? Do you think it is a good idea to suspend the GMAT preparation (for my second try) in favor of the TOEFL preparation? In that case I am worried about the quantitative skills that I gained so far. What do you think?

EMPOWERgmatRichC · Answer

Hi undergrad555,

This is the first time that you've mentioned that you had to take 2 Tests (the GMAT and TOEFL), so your overall timeline is a bit more complex than I realized. If you were just starting out, then I would have advised you to begin with the TOEFL (as some of the skills that you would build up while studying for that Test would help you on the GMAT). Since you've already invested some serious time studying for the GMAT though, I don't think that it's necessarily a good idea to stop those studies now (and come back to them later).

1) Are you trying to complete both Tests by a certain date?
2) When are you planning to apply to School?
3) Do the Schools that you are considering have a 'minimum' score requirement for either the TOEFL or GMAT?

The 540 that you just scored is 'in line' with your other practice CAT scores. What were the Quant and Verbal Scaled Scores on this latest CAT?

GMAT assassins aren't born, they're made,
Rich

undergrad555 · Answer

Hi Rich,

thank you for your answer. I agree with you that I should focus on the GMAT before I begin to start learning for the TOEFL.

Regarding your questions:

1) I am planning to have a considerable score on both tests an the end of July 2015.
2) I am planning to apply in September 2015 (Stage 1 application round starts in September). So I will have the August for all other application requirements to prepare. Do you think it is possible after my first GMAT try (next week) to increase the required score (mentioned in 3)) in 4 month?
3) Yes, they have. GMAT 690+ and TOEFL 110
4) Regarding my last mock exam: Overall Score 540, Q38, V26
- 4.1) Some details about the Quant section: A lot of careless errors especially at the beginning. I answered 6 out of 10 of the first questions wrong. When I reviewed the problems I could solve them without looking at the correct answer choice. By the way: That happens very frequently. During the mock exam I stressed myself and I became confused. During the review I am wondering why I couldn't solve this problem...
- 4.2) Some details about the Verbal section: 8 incorrect SC questions, 7 incorrect CR questions and 4 incorrect RC questions. During my preparation with the OG I did very well on the SC part. So I am surprised that I had so much incorrect SC questions. I already identified CR as my weakest area. Therefore I studied a lot of other material (CR Bible, Kaplan 800 CR part) to overcome these weaknesses. It seems that it didn't work...

Thank you. I really appreciate your help

manyatpr · Answer

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EMPOWERgmatRichC · Answer

Hi undergrad555,

Since you have plenty of time before August, you could certainly hit your goals. However, you have to find the necessary perspective to stay calm when you're taking your Tests and do efficient, organized work on the pad. If you find that you're not sure how to approach a question (you feel 'lost', for example), try this - instead of thinking "I don't know what to do"....think "what DO I know about this prompt?" Take some notes, write down the necessary formulas, etc. You've already come to realize how 'gettable' most Quant questions are - that's actually true of the ENTIRE GMAT - but you have to stay calm, take notes and THINK. You're not expected to do any work in your head, so DON'T.

You still have a lot of work to do to raise your scores, so you're likely going to need to invest in some new GMAT resources.

GMAT assassins aren't born, they're made,
Rich

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